MORE RUGBY SURPRISES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 221, 15 June 1931, Page 10

MORE RUGBY SURPRISES

Hutt’s First Defeat PONEKE’S DETERMINATION Eastbourne Trounces Petone MARIST’S DAY OUT Saturday's senior A Rugby matches produced ; many surprises, and the championship _ ladder has undergone some interesting and unexpected changes. Poneke decisively defeated the hitherto unbeaten Hutt side by 16 points to 6, thus coming within two points of Hutt’s total on the ladder. Eastbourne and Marist each had wins against Petone and Wellington respectively. Miramar played a drawn game with Varsity, and Wellington College Old Boys narrowly defeated Oriental. Practically the only result that did not have a surprise attached to it was Athletic’s defeat of Berhainpore, »—O. Poneke now occupies second place on the championship ladder, with Wellington, Marist, and Eastbourne sharing honours for third place, each side with 10 points University is one point behind, and, along with Old Boys, occupies fourth place. Petone has 7 points, Oriental and Athletic 6 points each, and Miramar and Berhampore bring up the tail with 4 points and one point respectively. By its defeat of Johnsonville in the senior B competition, Wellington College Old Boys have taken second place to St. Patrick’s College Old Boys, who narrowly defeated Onslow on Saturday by 3 points to nil. St. Patrick’s Old Boys head the ladder with 16 points, Old Boys have 14, and JohnsonviHe and Hutt are equal for third place with 12 points each. HUTT’S FIRST DEFEAT Dashing Poneke Forwards Playing dashing, determined football, always on the ball, the Poneke forwards dominated the game at Athletic 1 Park, and, ably assisted by their backs, succeeded in establishing a ten-point lead over Hutt, the hitherto unbeaten side in the senior A competition. There was no doubt as to which was the better team, for the tactics and ability shown by the Poneke players had their opponents bustled for more than half of the game, so much so that theifamous Hutt combination literally fell to pieces. It was typical “Poneke football,” played in as efficient a style as ever ‘ any Poneke team did. Time after time the red and black forwards broke away in slashing loose rushes that proved very difficult to stop,' and their fondness for getting the ball at toe was helped to a great extent by the failure of the Hutt inside men, Sadler and Killeen. The.former sent out some shocking passes and stopped Killeen’s effectiveness to a great extent, but even when the latter did get possession quickly he invariably hung on too long and was properly smothered. The famous three-quarter line, Hausen, Ball and Ross, seldom had any opportunities. The handling was far from accurate, and this proved fatal against such fastmoving, eager forwards ’ as the Poneke men. The Hutt forwards played well, and

at one stage ot the game appeared as though they would give Poneke a taste of its own medicine, but on the whole they were outplayed. First points were scored by Hutt. After several attempts had ijieen made to make the game more open, Sadler passed to Killeen to Lilburne. The latter beat the defence badly and handed on to Hansen and Ross, the last-named scoring In the corner. Pomare missed with the kick. Not long after, from a penalty in his own twenty-five, Shearer short-kicked instead of booting for the line, and the Poneke forwards got away in a loose rush. They were held up temporarily at half way, and then Martin, Neal and Edgar handled tn a passing rush. Edgar made a great attempt to cross, being held up a few yards from the line, but Ball made a weak attempt to find the line. The Poneke forwards got the ball again, and badly bustled Pomare. McPherson scored a good try ! well out. Neal missed with the kick. Poneke secured unusual points when Hutt was penalised in its own twenty-five. Neal took the kick at goal, and missed, but because of some infringement by the Hutt men on the mark another kick was allowed, and this time Neal succeeded. Obstruction of Griffiths, when he was dribbling the ball near the posts, cost Hutt another three points, Neal making no mistake with an easy kick. Good kicking by Killeen and Lilburne transferred play from one end of the field to the other, and shortly before half-time the forwards were scrummaging in the Poneke twenty-five. From one of these scrums Ball, on the left wing for Hutt, got possession and sprinted round the right-hand side of the scrum, beat the Poneke five-eighths, and hurled himself across for an excellent try. Lilburne missed with the kick. Half-time camo with Poneke leading 9 —6. For some time in the second spell Hutt produced flashes of form, but Inaccurate handling spoiled a number of likely-look-ing chances. The Poneke forwards wore still dangerous every time they got the ball at toe, and they also indulged in several short passing rushes. In which McPherson and Jessup did particularly good work. The next score came when Griffiths got the ball in Hutt’s twenty-five, and from a distance of some 20 yards out in front of the posts, "potted” an excellent goal. Soon afterward Neal jnst managed to get across at the end of a determined sprint. Tho re malnder of the game was fairly even, and there wns no further score. Poneke having a well-deserved victory by 10 points to 0. The. referee was Mr. H. Leith.

UNEXCITING GAME Athletic Beats Berhainpore Athletic defeated Berhampore by nine points to nil after a fairly even, though unexciting, game. The football provided was sound, and play was at times williug. The Berhampore backs seemed to lack dash, and their kicking was Inclined to be a little wild, while Athletic was weak in its tackling. , A series of scrums and line-outs marked the early stages of the first spell, till the Athletic forwards gained possession, and by means of a strong dribbling rush had play in the Berhampore twenty-five. Some tight work took place in front of the goal, where a free kick was awarded to Athletic. Diack made no mistake. Athletic 3, Ber'hampore 0. Berhampore took play to mia-fiela, but before long the Athletic backs were sent away by Sailings, only to be held up in the Berhampore corner. Brom a scrum. Hooper worked the blind side, and passed to Soilings, who scored. Athletic 0, Berhampore 0. Berhampore livened up toward half-time, and the backs and forwards, working in combination, had Athletic defending. At this stage Davies was injured, and left the field. He was replaced by Besant. In the second half play was of an even nature for a time, some hard football being witnessed. Athletic was not to be denied, and the forwards, after a strong dribbling rush, were in Berhampore’s quarters. Securing from a forward tussle in front of the posts, Watson went over for a neat try. Athletic 9, Berhampore 0. From then on until full time, play was of a scrappy nature. Burnett, an Athletic forward, was carried off injured shortly before the final whistle. The referee was Mr. H. H. Anslow. DRAWN GAME Varsity and Miramar After a game which was extremely willing throughout, though very scrappy at times, Varsity drew with Miramar, 11-aIL on the Byall Bay ground. A feature of the game was the number of injuries, four Varsity men and one Miramar man being compelled to leave the field. Soon after the start Ramson had a shot at goal from midfield, the kick going close, and Miramar retaliated with a rush downfield until from a scrum near the Varsity line the Miramar wing-forward, Davidge, secured and touched down. The kick failed. A Varsity rush was followed by one from Miramar, Parfitt going close to scoring. In stopping this rush Ramson and Mackenzie were both injured. Black replaced Ramson, and Mackenzie went to half-back, Pacey playing fiveeighths. Miramar attacked hotly, and Thompson made a dashing run upfield. In the following play, Murray, the Miramar hooker, secured, and forced his way over. Smith converted. Miramar, 8; University, 0. Mahoney was soon after compelled to retire, and was replaced by KidjJ. Hislop a little later scored for Varsity. Black missed the kick. Varsity attacked from the kick-off, and Pacey, securing from a scrum, made a great run to score. Cormack narrowly missed the goal. Miramar, 8; Varsity, 6. In the second spell, from Miramar’s kick-off. Varsity forced the play, and Young made a great dash to score a clever try. Cormack converted. Varsity, 11; Miramar, 8. Miramar attacked strongly, and a free-kick out in front saw Pinkerton add three points. The remainder of the spell saw give-and-take play by both sides. Thompson making several good runs for Miramar, and Mulvihill being prominent for Varsity. The game ended with the scores even, 11-all. Mr; D. Calcinai was the referee. MARIST v..WELLINGTON Closely-contested Game After a courageous effort to secure the extra points required to win, Wellington, In a hard-fought battle with Marist, failed to get there, and went down fighting to the tune of 21 points to 14. The match was played at a crisp pace throughout, and provided an Interesting encounter. Marist kicked off, and for a while the ball moved up and down the field, play favouring first the one side and then the other. Wellington opened its scoring account when Ball crossed after a fast sprint down the line. Kilby converted. Marist retaliated with three points a few moments later. At this stage territorial supremacy was held by Wellington, and the backs showed good combination and pace. Two tries were scored for Wellington in quick succession, and with its opponents eight points in the lead Marist spurred Itself to action. From then on It seemed to have the advantage In pace and tactics. The team showed plenty of dash, got more of the ball from the scrums and line-outs, and its back division was quick to take advantage of any openings. The concluding stages of the first half were characterised by bright football, and the play of both teams was frequently spectacular. Marist, however, showed greater penetrative ability, and when halftime sounded had changed its deficit into a two-point lead. The scores then were: Marist, 13; Wellington, 11. Early in the second half Marist was hard pressed to resist the Wellington attacks. Wellington was getting more of the ball from the scrums, but the want of precision of handling and of quick penetration enabled the Marist raiders to nullify Wellington's gaining the initial advantage. Kilby was playing an outstanding game, and gaining ground with long kicks which rarely failed to find the line.

As the game progressed the initiative passed to Marist, who appeared more quick and adept in turning its opponents’ errors to profit. Marist forwards were holding tiieir own, and seldom missing the ball from the scrums. Passing bouts were frequent, but very often they camo to nought almost on the line. After fast and bright play Marist again scored, McDonald obtaining a try behind the posts. Keegan converted. A little later Ball scored for Wellington, but Kilby missed with the kick. Marist again scored, and continuing to hold the upper hand, added three more points before the whistle sounded. The game ended in favour of Marist by 21 points to 14. The referee was Mr. A. de Clifton.

FAST, EVEN GAME Eastbourne Beats Petone Eastbourne beat Petone on the Petone Recreation Ground by 19 points to 14, after a fast, even, and interesting game. With a strong wind behind it, fast forwards, who were always dangerous in the loose, and backs who were not afraid to throw the ball about, Eastbourne left the field at halftime leading by 16 points to 3. There were many who thought the margin too small. The fact, however, that the whole of the Eastbourne team showed no signs of letting up, and that three excellent kicks by Nicholls narrowly missed their objective, just prevented Petone from winning. The refereeing was excellent, ami within its limits the teams were able to play hard and keenly and in a very sportsmanlike way. Eastbourne did not take the best advantage of the wind, but its scores came from a sustained attack and a willingness to accept the opportunity, immediately it presented itself. Twice at least Petone was surprised, and each time Eastbourne scored. .Fuller, too, was in good goal-kicking form. Clark, at full-back, was always safe for Eastbourne, Delabarca was outstanding, and Dlnniss and Foley were always thorns in Petone’s side. But the outstanding player on the ground was Pollock. He was here, there, and everywhere, as occasion demanded. Without him the score against Petone must have been greater. Not only did he pluckiiy extricate his team from desperate situations many times, but his taking of passes, his strong running, and faultless tackling, were a great asset to his side. Petone got the ball from scrums and lineouts more often than Eastbourne. Its forwards, however, were neither as resourceful as Eastbourne, nor as fast. Nicholls was well marked, and he was not often allowed to get the ball away. It was when its defence was most desperate that Eastbourne showed Its strength, its pace, and resourcefulness, and cleared.

The only disturbing feature of the game was the several inaccuracies of one of the line umpires, who was more than once over-ruled by the referee. Once it was generally thought by members of the Pe-

tone team that Nicholls had goaled from a penalty. Petone scored first when Huxtable got over In the corner from a passing rush. Nicholls missed with the kick. From the kick out Eastbourne, with a brilliant rush, swept to Petone goal-line, and within a minute Clark scored, the bounce of the ball having beaten the Petone backs. Fuller’s kick just missed. A few minutes later Eastbourne forwards got going, and Sleep scored, Fuller goaling with a fine kick. Eight more points were added when Fuller kicked a penalty goal, and also converted a try scored by Price. The second spell had not been in progress more than a few minutes when Dinniss scored for Eastbourne, making its score 19. Petone started a passing rush, and Valk scored, Nicholls converting. Amid great excitement Nicholls made Petone 11 by kicking a penalty goal, and with another penalty from halfway he added another three points, the final scores being: Eastbourne 19, Petone 14. The referee was Mr. Wilson. STERN FORWARD CONTEST Old Boys 5, Oriental 3 Occasional flashes of individual work relieved what was otherwise a drab and uninteresting display of Rugby at Wakefield Park, where Old Boys defeated Oriental by the narrow margin of five points to three. There was little between the teams, both of which were without the services of one or two of their usual players. Notable absentees from-the ranks of Old Boys were Du Chateau and Rushbrook, both of whom are on the sick list. With two such strong packs as those fielded by Oriental and Old Boys, a stern forward tussle was to be expected, and the game had not been long in progress before it was apparent that the backs would play only a minor part. In fact, during the whole day there were only one or two back movements that were performed with anything like good combination. At half-time Old Boys led s—nil, points having been secured by Wylie, who scored a good try, which Lamason converted. For most of the spell the forwards were inclined to favour the tight game, but there were several well-engineered loose rushes which lent themselves to some bright Individual efforts. Clarldge, Bydder and Wright did excellent work in the Old Boys’ pack. Early in the second spell Old Boys were compelled to force twice, but it was not long before Chambers, Mill and Reid combined in a movement which ended in Mill kicking over the line, and racing the opposition to touch down. Ramsey failed with the kick. Oriental used the touchline to good advantage in the following play, and Old Boys were kept mainly somewhere in their own territory. Cave, Ward and Pringle, among the Oriental forwards, were always on the ball, but though the pack as a 'whole did all that was required of it, the backs gave little support. That also was the position with the Old Boys’ team, and as a result the game lacked spectacular Interest.

Dawson was nearly across for Oriental just before time. He was stopped by Masters after he had dribbled right up to the posts. When full time sounded, however, the play was again in midfield. The referee was Mr. T. A. Fletcher. SENIOR B GAMES St. Patrick’s College Old Boys registered its eighth consecutive victory by beating Onslow 3—o. Onslow forwards played a hard game, and obtained possession from practically every scrum. Aided by good line-kicking, they succeeded in holding their opponents for the greater part of the game. The only score came from a combined rush by the Old Boys’ forwards. Wellington College Old Boys put up a good performance in beating Johnsonville by 9 points to 6. This result gave thn Old Boys second place to St. Patrick’s 0.8. on the championship ladder, Johnsonville going down to third place, along with Hutt. Hutt scored a six-point win against Melrose. Its points were gained in the first spell, when Todd scored a try and Nees kicked a penalty goal. In the second spell Hutt was in Melrose’s territory most of the time, but could not add further points. Training College finished up three points to the good against Selwyn, winning by 11 points to 8. Nodwell and Brydon each scored tries for College, and Brydon kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. For Selwyn Ward scored a try, which was converted by Lcggatt. The latter player also kicked a penalty goal. Upper Hutt beat Varsity 9—o, and Oriental beat Porirua, 7—o. LOWER GRADE RESULTS \ Following are lower grade results:— Junior. Marist 12, Hutt 6. Wellington A 36, Porirua 0. Miramar 11, Wellington B 6. Poneke 13, Old Boys A 8. Berhampore 16, Upper Hutt 3. St. Pat’s 0.8. 8, Varsity 0. Onslow 12, Melrose 3. Third. Athletic 29, Hutt 6. Kalwarra 12, Wellington A 3. Miramar A 6, St. Patrick’s College 3. Old Boys 6, Seatoun 0. Berhampore 6, Varsity 3. Eastbourne 5, Miramar B 0. St. Pat’s 0.8. 23. Onslow 0. Intermediate. Wellington 10, Oriental 0. Hutt 9, Poneke 3. Athletic 7, Old Boys 3. Plimmcrton 18. St. Pat’s 0.8. 3. Fourth. Old Boys 9, Hutt 3. Wellington A 13. Marist 3. Wellington B 3. Berhampore 3. Miramar B 8. Wellington C 6. Seatoun 6. Varsity 3. Oriental 11, Upper Hutt 9. Poneke 11. Petone B 0. St. Pat’s 0.8. 6. Technical 0.8. 0. Petone A 36. Onslow 0. Fifth. Institute 17. Karori 6. Wellington 12. Poneke 0. Oriental 9, Miramar 3. Berhampore 5. Seatoun 3. Old Boys 12. Marist 6. Athletic 9, Melrose 3. Selwyn 0. Ouslow 0. Sixth. Miramar 12, Petone 0. Wellington 12. Athletic 3. Melrose 9, Moera 0. Seventh. Selwyn 3, Hutt 0. Johnsonville 9. Wellington 3. Miramar 13. Athletic 5. Onslow 14, Upper Hutt 3.

IN THE PROVINCES Wanganui.—Old Boys 19 beat Marist 14; Kaierau 7 beat Technical Old Boys 6; Pirates 3 drew with Ratnna 3. South Taranaki. —Kaponga 10 boat Patea 8: Hawera 23 beat Eltham 0; Opunake 6 drew with Athletic 6: Okaiawa 33 beat Waimate 6. Mannwatu.—Kia Toa 8. beat Feilding Old Boys 3: Old Boys 0. drew with United 0; Massey College 16, beat Feilding 8. Walrurnpn.—Gladstone 27. beat Ilalofield 3: Old Boys 16. beat Carterton 11; Greytown 37. beat Masterton 6. Taranaki.—lnglewood 6, beat Old Bovs 0: Tukapa 3. beat Stratford 0: Clifton 8. beat Star 3: Kaponga 10. beat Patea 8: Hawera 23. beat Eltham 0: Okaiawa 33, bent Waimate 6: Opunake 6, drew with Athletic 6. Hastings.—Tamatea 11. beat Celtic 3: Pirates 19. beat Old Boys 17. Napier.—Hastings 8. boat High School Old Bovs 3; Technical Old Boys 9, bent M. 8.0.15. 0. OTHER CENTRES Auckland.—Grammar 11 beat Technical .3; Ponson'hv 18 bent University 7: Grafton 3 drew with City 3: Marist 0 drew with College Rifles 0: Training College 0 drew with Manukau 0. Christchurch. —Merivale 24 beat Old Boys 0- Linwood 11 bent Albion 8: Varsity 27 beat Athletic 11; Svdenham 5 beat Christchurch 0. The position of the teams in the championship is as follows: —Merivale, 8 points: Christchurch. 6; Sydenham. 6; Varsitv 5: Old Bovs. 4; Linwood. 4: Albion. 3; Athletic. 0. Dunedin.—Varsity A 8 beat Southern 5: Kaikoral 6 beat Alhambra 0; Pirates 40 heat Varsity B 6: Zlngrtri 9 beat Taieri 3: Union 6 bent Dunedin 0.